Hi, Tweets

This is slightly off topic, not controversial, but I do need opinions. For
the past three nights something has been trying desperately to get *out* of
my garage. The garage has a pen where Lucifer the goose (bird subject!)
stays at night so the door is shut tightly. Raccoons and possums have
often snuffled around outside, but for the past three nights something has
knocked things over (down low), scratched at a mat and a bag (both near
doors), and yesterday there was even a little blood on the floor! Lucifer
was fine.

Today when I came onto the deck with an armload of wood, Lucifer was
looking towards the door (open in the daytime) and hissing, and here came a
fat, waddling aplodontia (mountain beaver) around the corner. It saw me,
turned around, and, I figured, went back in the garage. After putting the
wood down, I went in the garage and something was scuffling in a far corner
under an old rug.

So . . . after all of this verbage, has anyone ever heard of an aplodontia
coming in a garage and taking up residence or something? In fifteen years
here, I've really only seen them 2-3 times, and I know they live in the
ravine in back as one has to be careful walking because of their burrows.
I know they are strictly herbivores and won't hurt the goose, but I really
don't want it in my garage. And . . . they have their young in April
(maybe later this year 'cause it's cold?).

Has anyone out there had aplodontia experience?? You're welcome to reply
privately since it's not on topic. But, just as bird comment, they may be
appearing, but so far I have had no western tanager or Swainson's thrush
(both of which nest here) and few warblers (but lots of mixed forest!).

Diann

Diann MacRae
Bothell
tvulture at halcyon.com